phelps



2 Sheets-Sheet -1.

(No Model.)

W: P'. PHBLPS. ELECTRICAL. TRAIN STOPHNGl AND` SIGNALING APPARATUS F08 LANDSLIDBS.

Patented Nov. 13, 1883.

WlTN ESSES:

N. Pneus Pnnxmhqmbhef, washing, n. c.

(No Model.) i 2 Sheets--Sheel'I 2.

v W. P. PHBLPS. ELECTRICAL TRAIN STUPPINGAND SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR LAND SLIDBS. f

11 'y UNITED STATESl PATENT OFFICE.;

WILLIAM I?. FHELPS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE .RAILROAD SAFETY LOOK ANDSIG-N AL COMPANY, OF NEV JERSEY.

ELECTRICAL TRAIN-STOPPING AND SIGNALINGAPPARATUS FOR LAND-SLIDE'S.

SIPEfLIIFICATION` forming part of Letters Patent No. 288,4E0, datedw November 13, Y1883. Application nica .Tiny 21,1882, (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known thatI, WILLIAM P. PHnLrs, a

' citizen of the United States, residing in the case of land-slides.

city and county of Philadelphia, State of Penn sylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electric Train-Stopping and Signaling Apparatus for Land-Slides, Oavingiin Tunnels, Src., which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of apparatus embodying my invention as employed in the Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of appara tus embodying myinvention as employed in.

the case of caving-in tunnels. view thereof.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre- Fig. 4 is a top sponding parts in the several figures.

My invention consists in automatically stopping a train of cars and displaying signals in case of obstructions on railroads, occasioned by land-slides, falling rocks, Sto. For this purpose I employ an electric circuit, a movable guard, and automatic train-stopping and signaling apparatus, said lguard being moved by the pressure or weight of the land, rocks, Svc., whereby the circuit will be broken and the train stopped and .the signal displayed.

. ing in contact with a plate of the respective post. Attached to the plates C of the post of each section of panels is a wire, E, which leads to a box containing a magnet and armature, with which latter is connected mechanism ihr operating an automatic train stopping and signaling device, a form of which is illustrated in Fig. 2, which may be similar to that shown in the Letters Patent granted to Villiam C.

Shaffer, N o. 250,173, on the 29th day of November, A. D. 1881, so'that danger may be announced andthetrainautomaticallystopped. The plates D of each panel are connected by tions of panels rest on the plates C, so that there is an electrical communication of the several sections of panels by means of the plates C D and wires F. :(See Fig. 2.) When the panels are in their normal positions, the plates C D are in contact and the electric circuit is' closed, whereby the trainstopping and signaling device is Vnot operated, the shoe of said device swinging freely, as explained in the Letters Patent hereinbefore referred to. Should, however, there be a land-slide or falling rocks, whereby the road may be obstructed, the land or rocks press against the panels and y force them from the posts, thus separating the contact-plates C D and causing the breaking of the circuit, whereby the train-stopping and signaling apparatus is operated, the danger being thereby indicated and provision made for automatically stopping the train before reaching the obstruction occasioned by the land-slide, Src.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate means employed for indicating obstructions on the road in tunnels, occasioned by the caving in of the same. In this case for the upright panel is substituted a horizontal guard of the form of a screen, frame, or panel, which is supported on pieces which may be hinged or pivoted to the tops of posts or standards, the ends of said guard having plates, which, in their normal positions, are in contact with plates xed to the `posts or standards. Vires are provided, as in Fig. l, and the plates of the posts are in Contact, thus forming a continuous circuit.

`Should the roof of the'tunnel cave in, the

rocks, &c., therefrom fall on the guard, thus depressing the body of the guard and raising `a wire, F, and the plates D of the several sec-v l the connected end plates, which, being sepaover it. vIn the event of accidents the shoe is automatically locked, and so raises an arm or lever, or operates other devices on the engine, the same being connected With the brake mechanism, Whistle, and steam-supply.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isi 1. An electric apparatus for indicating landslides, the caving in of tunnels7 and similar accidents, consisting of an electric circuit, signaling devicesconnected therewith, and a movable guard forming part of said circuit Y and arranged to be struck by the moving soil or rocks, substantially as described.

2. An electric apparatus for indicatinglandslides or the caving in of tunnels, consisting of an electric circuit, a movable guard, and contact-plates forming part of said circuit, and suitable supports for said plates and guard, said guard being arranged to be struck WM. P. PHELPS.

Witnesses: JOHN A. WIEDnRsHnrM, W. F. KIRGHER. 

